Argentina international Lamela has enjoyed a much more fruitful second season at White Hart Lane so far, after injury and poor form disrupted his maiden campaign at the club.

A first Premier League goal arrived for Lamela in last weekend's 2-1 win over Burnley, but his swerving 30-yard winner was worth waiting for.

Though delighted with his compatriot's improving performances, Pochettino urged caution as Spurs prepare for Thursday's trip to the King Power Stadium - their first of three games in a week.

"We need to be careful with him because he's still young," said Pochettino. "I have explained many times here that he's still young and always that the first season was difficult for him.

"He had injuries, he has not played too much, but this season he has been more consistent. So far we are happy with him, he has been consistent in training and he has the talent and potential to be a great player.

"We need to understand that in his case, when he arrived, there was a lot of pressure on his shoulders. You need more time to show your best form.

"At the start of this season he trained very hard and with the time and consistency that he showed in those sessions, it's normal that one day you start to show your best qualities.

"He has a lot of potential. All players need to have confidence and to feel good in order to give their best."

Lamela is expected to feature at Leicester, with Pochettino enjoying a fully fit squad to choose from.

Captain Younes Kaboul's exile could go on, though, after the former Southampton boss confirmed the Frenchman is currently out of his first-team plans on merit alone.

With fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea to follow, Pochettino will be keen to get points on the board against a Leicester side still without a win since September's memorable 5-3 triumph over Louis van Gaal's men.

Last Saturday's defeat to West Ham left Leicester facing Christmas at the foot of the table - a position from which only West Brom in 2004-05 and Sunderland last season have survived from.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will serve a one-match touchline ban for his verbal altercation with a supporter but remains bullish about his side's chances of beating the drop, and has called on those picked to impose themselves on Tottenham.

"They come into this game with the ability to make a number of changes and not necessarily weaken their side," he said.

"Does that change our approach? It fundamentally can't, really.

"The emphasis on our own game has got to be to get our performance as good as it can be.

"They're coming to our place and it's important that we set the scene."

Leicester striker Chris Wood is set to miss out with a virus, with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (foot) Pearson's only other selection concern.